With the millions of Latinos in this country, we are still misrepresented in the media. We are seen as uneducated or unintelligent and face scrutiny on social platforms, putting us in a lower category, but you couldn’t be more wrong. However, I wondered if this could be due to only 53% of those who graduated from an accredited 4-year college. This is why we need more education and support on social platforms to encourage those in the Latino community.
This is why I would like to talk about my sister and how much of an inspiration she has been to my family and her community. Over the years, she has pushed her way to the top as a Latina woman. During her time, it was not known that women with excellent knowledge and strides in Math and Science, which are predominantly men’s fields, broke down barriers many might not see as an accomplishment regarding where she started and where she is in her career.
My sister grew up when women attended college, graduated, or started families, while some began their families right after high school. However, she had bigger dreams for herself. While in college, she thought she wanted to be a veterinarian, so she worked at a veterinary hospital. However, after graduating, she realized it wasn’t her true dream, so she returned to school to pursue her master’s in engineering.
After completing her master’s degree, she began working for an aerospace company, handling classified information for the government. As one of only two women in her workplace, she faced significant criticism as a woman in science. She then earned her PhD and continued her career in aerospace. Her contributions became well recognized, leading to an offer to work on a contract with NASA in Florida and Huntsville, Alabama. A year later, she received a job offer from NASA, where she would work on the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Only 13% of women work as aerospace engineers, and merely 3% are Latina. She is one of the three percent striving to make a difference in the Latino community and remains dedicated to increasing this percentage. She has collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers and the Latina in STEM program to guide and support young girls interested in engineering and science.
She now travels around the country, speaking at middle and high schools about the importance of increasing the number of women in engineering and science. For those interested, she helps them navigate by getting involved in programs in their community, joining clubs in school, and possibly joining a STEM group if one is available at their school. Since the start of her journey, she has been able to send eight girls who might not have otherwise had the chance to experience Space Camp in Huntsville, AL, on their own.
Despite facing numerous challenges, the Latino community continues to strive for equal representation and opportunities within the educational system while working to eliminate harmful stereotypes and foster a more inclusive environment. Although I don’t feel this affects me personally, as I have received strong guidance from my family, I believe many individuals in the Latin community could benefit from proper guidance and education to help promote a more inclusive narrative.
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